New Hampshire: Newman's first win

Red-hot rookie Ryan Newman, who had finished top-five in seven of the prior nine races, broke through to his first Winston Cup victory Sunday, in the rain-shortened New Hampshire 300

Sep 15, 2002, 10:11 PM

Newman, who started from the pole, had finished second in each of the previous two events, at Darlington and Richmond. On Sunday, he waited out three rain delays before being declared the winner after 207 of the 300 laps.

Meanwhile, Mark Martin, by finishing 16th, vaulted to the points lead for the first time this season, with Sterling Marlin, leader since February, finishing 21st. Martin entered the race nine points behind Marlin and came out six ahead.

Altogether, the standings tightened considerably, with rookie Jimmie Johnson third, 40 points behind, and Tony Stewart fourth, 59 behind. The top eight drivers are within 200 points of the lead with nine races to go.

Newman, former USAC Silver Crown champion, took the lead from Johnny Benson when Benson tangled with the lapped car of Mike Wallace on Lap 141. He survived a fierce duel with Kurt Busch and a charge from Stewart before the final rain caution fell on Lap 200.